Tyson Chandler is averaging 10.3 rebounds per game this season, but this number doesn’t quite tell the entire story, as Chandler’s tap-outs for extra possessions have become a staple of the Knicks’ offense this year. Nate Taylor at the New York Times has a nice piece about his remarkable talent, noting that Mike Woodson has embraced the star center’s specific talent and utilized it to the team’s advantage.

Woodson says he prefers to have Chandler’s teammates on the perimeter when the team takes a shot, rather than helping him chase rebounds, for two reasons: to get back in transition defense, or to be ready to shoot if Chandler taps the ball to them. When the Knicks do get offensive rebounds, the opposing team is usually scrambling on defense, which often leaves a shooter open on the perimeter.

Brian DiMenna

The whole piece is well worth a read. Chandler is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, but it’s been pretty remarkable how effective an offensive player he’s become. It’s really something. He can’t shoot, or dribble per se. He doesn’t have any offensive “moves” or things of that nature and yet he’s become a lethal offensive weapon. It’s quite exciting, and a testament to a guy knowing what he does well and then applying that to best help his team win.